Melbourne City have beaten a Bolton XI 5-1 in a friendly overnight as speculation mounts about a new star signing for the ambitious Hyundai A-League club.
After conceding the first against their opponent, Patrick Kisnorbo, David Williams, Aaron Mooy, James Brown and Mate Dugandzic scored the goals for City in an impressive mauling of the Wanderers XI.
New signing Damien Duff played in the first half for John van’t Schip’s side with Williams and Brown now scoring twice on the tour on their UK training camp and tour.
Following draws with Bury and Oldham, this win puts the group in a confident position upon their return to Australia ahead of their upcoming Westfield FFA Cup clash with Sydney FC in Ballarat on August 12.
The club has been based at Carrington Training Centre for much of July as they’ve soaked in the professionalism of their new majority owners Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Slovenian international Robert Koren has emerged as the contender to be Melbourne City’s international marquee player for next season.
A report in Melbourne’s Herald Sun suggests the 33-year-old midfielder has been in talks with the club during their pre-season tour in Manchester.
Koren’s acquisition would continue their top quality signings for City – formerly Melbourne Heart – with big-names like David Villa and Damien Duff already inking deals with the club.
Former Chelsea star Frank Lampard, who is on the verge of joining MLS side New York City, is also reportedly set for a guest stint during the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season.
City football club’s Managing director of football services Brian Marwood didn’t confirm Koren’s signature but conceded he was the type of player the club wants in a marquee.
“It’s important that we have the right kind of characteristics both on and off the field,” Marwood said.
“We don’t want players coming to the club and thinking it’s a final pay day or it’s a few months in the sun in a beautiful city. That’s not what this club is about.”
Koren has been playing in England since 2007, turning out in the Premier League for clubs like West Bromwich Albion and Hull City.
He has played 61 games for Slovenia, including at the 2010 World Cup where he scored a goal in a group stage match against Algeria.
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